Council sets public hearing on Sunnyside TIF changes, including removal of four parcels and possible 15-year extension

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown City Council on March 19 approved a resolution to set a public hearing on proposed changes to the Sunnyside Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, including removing four base parcels and considering a 15-year extension of the district’s termination date.

Carrie Cecil of Frost Brown Todd, outside counsel on the matter, told council staff and members they had reviewed assessed values and recommended removing four parcels from the TIF base because those parcels are having a negative impact on the district’s increment. She said the recommendation is a first procedural step: setting a public hearing, publishing notice, and then submitting an application to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development.

Cecil also told councilors that some districts with outstanding bonds may opt to extend the termination date; the recommendation included considering a 15-year extension to allow ongoing development within Sunnyside.

Councilors moved and seconded a resolution to set the hearing. The clerk recorded a unanimous yes vote; the roll call returned all seven members in favor and the clerk announced the motion passed.

Cecil summarized next steps: a published 30-day public notice (published twice in the newspaper), a public hearing before council, and, if council chooses, submission of a formal application to state economic-development authorities to change the TIF base and extend the termination date.

Ending: Council approved only the resolution to set a public hearing; no final decision on the parcel removals or extension was made at the March 19 meeting.